For the eighth time in nine years, Iowa State has beat out nearly 200 colleges and universities to win the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Sweepstakes.

CASE, a professional organization for alumni relations, communications and philanthropy, sponsored an annual conference Jan. 11-14, featuring honors in different categories and one overall winner.

The conference recognizes schools that earn high scores in communications competitions in areas such as publications, special events, public relations, alumni relations and fundraising, according to a press release.

ISU was the CASE Grand Sweeps winner, claiming eight gold, 10 silver and 16 bronze awards.

John McCarroll, director of university relations, said ISU tallied one out of every six awards, for a total of 34. He added that ISU competed for 215 awards against seven other states in its district.

McCarroll said ISU has done well with CASE Sweepstakes in the past and that winning is a tribute to the people who are involved with the university. He said the recognition ISU receives through the awards is a great source of pride.

“It’s nice to be singled out among your peers,” McCarroll said.

More than 50 judges evaluated 25 categories, and seven ISU branches received awards, including University Relations, Marketing, Alumni Association, ISU Foundation, College of Agriculture, Ames Laboratory and the Institute for Physicial Research and Technology.

Another CASE award, dedicated to the district’s volunteers, was awarded to Barbara and Bob Eddy, of Des Moines, for their support of ISU.

The couple, who have provided volunteer work and gifts to the university, said they cherish the prize.

“We were so honored, flattered [and we] appreciate it,” Bob Eddy said.

Over the years, the Eddys have worked with a variety of ISU groups and have taken on numerous volunteer roles. Bob Eddy has been director of both the Foundation Board and the Alumni Board. Barbara Eddy has served on the Intercollegiate Athletic Council and the Alumni Honors and Awards Committee.

Director of Alumni Affairs James Hopson said the couple has shown outstanding support for ISU.

“Classify them as super volunteers,” he said. “They are really deserving people and put in hundreds of volunteer hours.”